Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has Friday afternoon sent the following message to President Vladimir Putin in connection with the hostage drama in Moscow.

The letter reads:

“Dear President Putin,

On behalf of the Norwegian Government and the Norwegian people, I wish to express the horror and concern we all feel at the hostage drama that is taking place in Moscow.

We deeply condemn this terrorist act against hundreds of innocent civilians. There is no cause that could justify such an act, and we strongly urge the perpetrators to release the hostages immediately and unconditionally.

At this difficult time I would like to convey my profound sympathy to the hostages and their families, and to the Russian people.

Yours sincerely

Kjell Magne Bondevik”